The Sacramento Zoo's male Coquerel's Sifaka infant, born January 5th, died the morning of Sunday, April 6th. The infant was moved to the Sacramento Zoo’s Murray E. Fowler Veterinary Hospital's Intensive Care Unit three days prior where he was being treated for pneumonia.

Since his birth, staff had been monitoring the infant’s weight consistently as is the standard Species Survival Program®(SSP) protocol for sifaka infants. Daily weight gain was not as large as staff had hoped to see. After conferring with the SSP Coordinator and veterinary staff at the Duke University Lemur Center, staff began to supplement the infant daily to increase its weight gain. The infant was nursing and developing well under his parents care.

On Friday, April 4th he was diagnosed with pneumonia and transported from the sifaka exhibit to the hospital ICU. The Duke University Lemur Center (the world’s leading center for interdisciplinary lemur research and conservation) was an integral resource over these three months concerning the best care options.

There are only ten AZA-accredited facilities that house the 66 endangered Coquerel’s Sifaka. Sifaka are native only to the island of Madagascar off the southeastern coast of Africa. Coquerel’s Sifaka are among the most endangered of the sifaka species – habitat loss due to deforestation is the leading threat.

Sacramento Zoo – Wildly Inspiring!

Open since 1927, the Sacramento Zoo is home to more than 500 native, rare and endangered animals and is one of over 200 accredited institutions of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Located near the corner of Land Park Drive and Sutterville Road in William Land Park, the Zoo is wholly managed by the non-profit Sacramento Zoological Society. This Sacramento treasure inspires conservation awareness through education and recreation. Open daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, general admission is $11.25; children ages 2-11 are $7.25 and one and under are admitted free. Parking is free throughout the park or ride Regional Transit bus #6. For information, call 916-808-5888 or visit saczoo.org.